Balcatta HAZMAT warning: Fire breaks out inside factory’s chemical lab as warning issued to public

Authorities have issued a hazard warning after a fire in a metal factory’s chemical analysis lab sent potentially dangerous smoke surging through the suburb.

Crews were called out about 9pm Monday at the ALS Metallurgy plant in Balcatta, a suburb in Perth’s north — triggering DFES to issue a warning urging locals to stay inside, shut their doors and windows, and turn off their air conditioners.

Motorists were also asked to avoid the area, reduce their speed and drive carefully.

Firefighters extinguished the fire, while police described it as “non suspicious”.

By 10.40pm, DFES confirmed the fire had been contained and locals would no longer be impacted by smoke or fumes.

On Tuesday morning, a spokesperson said the alert was a “false alarm caused by moisture evaporating through a ducting fan”

The hazmat warning was still on the DFES website at 7.30am on Tuesday.